PLOT: The working-class area of Charlestown in Boston has, apparently, produced more bank robbers and armoured car thieves than anywhere else in the world. Doug MacRay (Affleck) follows his jailed father into the family business by leading his own fast, clever and violent gang.

Unsure how much bank manager Claire (Hall) has seen during their latest raid, Doug befriends her to see if she can identify them to FBI agent Hamm.

While his best friend Coughlin (Renner) is a loose cannon who wonders whether Claire should be “removed from the equation”, Doug finds himself falling for her.

Meanwhile, the FBI net is closing in. Can they pull off another daring raid?

GOOD POINTS: Affleck is an OK actor but a much better director and co-writer. This is his second film behind the camera after his promising debut Gone Baby Gone, and it’s an excellent one. He combines exciting action scenes with emotional depth and characters we care about. It’s compelling with one or two surprises.

There are great performances from a good cast, including Pete Postlethwaite – who says it, menacingly, with flowers – Blake Lively and Chris Cooper.

BAD POINTS: Affleck might have been better casting someone else in the lead role. He looks good – thinner and chiselled – but never conveys too much emotion.

SHOULD I SEE IT? Absolutely. If you like crime thrillers, this is a hugely satisfying watch.